Best Agriculture Grants in Colorado

The Habitat Partnership Program (HPP) aims to mitigate wildlife conflicts, particularly with big game species in Colorado. It supports agricultural operators by enhancing migratory corridors and promoting private land conservation. Funded by a portion of hunting license revenues, HPP requires matching contributions for projects. Eligible applicants include agencies and individuals, while prioritizing collaborations. Projects can involve fence improvements, habitat enhancements, water development, and emergency conflict response, all focused on effective wildlife management and conservation efforts.

The HICAHS Emerging Issues Grants support innovative research addressing urgent agricultural health and safety concerns. Funded by the High Plains Intermountain Center for Agricultural Health and Safety, these grants prioritize projects that tackle emerging health risks, including climate change impacts, infectious diseases, and mental health issues among agricultural workers. Applications are accepted on a rolling basis, enabling quick responses to pressing needs in the community. This initiative aims to enhance safety and resilience in the agricultural sector.

The Corporate Giving Program by the Franklin P. and Arthur W. Perdue Foundation supports nonprofit organizations that enhance community welfare. Focus areas include agriculture, education, fighting hunger, and public safety. Eligible applicants must have IRS 501(c)(3) status and a Taxpayer Identification number. Requests are prioritized for programs directly benefiting communities near Perdue facilities across various states. The foundation emphasizes responsible stewardship and community engagement in all funding decisions.

The Colorado Water Plan Grants aim to support essential actions outlined in the Colorado Water Plan, focusing on sustainable water management strategies. Funded by the Colorado Department of Natural Resources, these grants facilitate projects related to water storage, sharing agreements, conservation, and educational initiatives. By fostering collaboration among local agencies, the program ensures that Colorado's water resources are conserved and managed effectively for future generations. Eligible projects include technical assistance and innovative water solutions.

The Corporate Giving Program by the Franklin P. and Arthur W. Perdue Foundation focuses on supporting nonprofit organizations within specific states. They prioritize initiatives that enhance community welfare, especially in agriculture, education, health, and environmental sustainability. Organizations must have 501(c)(3) status to apply, and preference is given to those involving Perdue associates. Ineligible requests include those from religious, political, or individual-focused groups. This program emphasizes broad community benefits over organizational affiliations.

The William Stretesky Foundation Grants support public and educational initiatives in Sedgwick County, Colorado. Established to honor William Stretesky's legacy, the foundation focuses on enhancing community welfare through various categories, including arts, education, and medical emergency services. Grants are available only to 501(c)(3) entities, with a commitment to benefiting local residents. However, funding is not provided to individuals or for lobbying activities, ensuring resources are directed towards charitable purposes.

The Colorado Outdoor Regional Plan Capacity, Plan Development, & Early Wins grant program supports regional partnerships to enhance conservation and outdoor recreation. Funded by Colorado Parks and Wildlife and Great Outdoors Colorado, grants range from $50,000 to $350,000 for one to three years. The initiative aims to foster collaboration among diverse stakeholders, ensuring equitable access to outdoor experiences while promoting healthy ecosystems and biodiversity. This funding is intended for coalitions developing regional conservation and recreation plans.

The Projects Bill Grants, authorized by the Colorado Water Conservation Board, address statewide water supply needs through investments ranging from $1 to $10 million. Eligible projects include water management, habitat conservation, and feasibility studies. These grants require matching funds and are aimed at significant regional impacts. Projects must demonstrate a clear need and can be proposed by any public or private entity capable of contracting with the state. Ineligible projects include those that can be completed without state funding.

The CCCF Common Ground Program offers Forest Health and Fire Resilience Project Grants aimed at enhancing forest health and community fire resilience. Eligible projects must demonstrate a collaborative approach and provide community value, such as fuel breaks across public and private lands. Funding ranges from $5,001 to $500,000 per year, with a focus on leveraging resources to maximize impact. This initiative supports various organizations in achieving sustainable land management and protecting vital ecosystems.

The CCCF's Common Ground Program offers Forest Health and Wildfire Resilience Planning & Education Grants aimed at enhancing community wildfire resilience and forest health. Eligible applicants include federal and state agencies, nonprofits, and for-profit organizations. Grants range from $5,001 to $100,000 per year, with a focus on collaborative efforts that strengthen landscapes, conserve agricultural lands, and manage outdoor recreation impacts. The program encourages measurable outcomes and partnerships with organizations like the Colorado State Forest Service.

The CCCF Common Ground Program offers Recreation Impacts Management Grants aimed at mitigating the negative effects of outdoor recreation on landscapes and watersheds. These grants support projects that enhance forest health, conserve agricultural lands, and promote sustainable land use practices. Eligible applicants include organizations and private landowners working in collaboration with land management agencies. Funding ranges from $5,001 to $100,000 annually, fostering impactful community initiatives in Chaffee County.

The National Fish and Wildlife Foundation (NFWF) seeks proposals to restore and enhance aquatic and riparian species in the Colorado River and Rio Grande watersheds, with up to $1.3 million in funding. This initiative targets projects yielding measurable outcomes for species of conservation concern, focusing on the Rio Grande and Colorado River Focal Areas. Priority will be given to projects addressing habitat loss, invasive species, and employing innovative restoration methods to support local ecosystems.

The GFF Capital Grants by the Gates Family Foundation support capital projects for nonprofit organizations in Colorado, emphasizing community needs and sustainable development. With a focus on enhancing public resources and addressing historical inequities, the foundation prioritizes projects that foster education, environmental protection, and community development. Eligible applicants must be 501(c)(3) organizations, demonstrating strong community support and effective management. Capital grants are not given for general operating expenses, loans, or projects already completed.

The Community Food Grants program in Colorado provides crucial funding to food pantries, enabling them to purchase and distribute fresh, culturally relevant foods. Administered by the Colorado Blueprint to End Hunger, this initiative aims to enhance food access while supporting local agriculture. Eligible food pantries must comply with specific requirements to ensure equitable food distribution. The program focuses on meeting diverse community needs, emphasizing the importance of culturally significant foods and local agricultural products.

The Community Food Grant program provides $1.7 million in funding for food pantries in Colorado to procure and distribute healthy, culturally relevant foods. This initiative aims to enhance access to nutritious options while supporting local agriculture. Eligible food pantries can use these funds to purchase produce, meat, and dairy from local sources, ensuring that community needs and diverse cultural identities are met. The program emphasizes equity in the charitable food system, fostering collaboration with the communities served.

The National Cattlemen's Foundation awards the W.D. Farr Scholarship, honoring the legacy of W.D. Farr, a pioneer in agriculture and ranching. Two graduate scholarships of $15,000 each will be awarded to students in animal or environmental sciences. Recipients will be encouraged to engage with NCBA activities. The scholarship promotes leadership and commitment to the beef industry. Winners will be announced at the Cattle Industry Annual Convention, with expenses covered for attendance.

The Conservation Stewardship Program (CSP) by the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service supports agricultural producers in enhancing their conservation efforts. This program provides technical and financial assistance to improve land management practices, promote wildlife habitat, and increase resilience to environmental challenges. Participants can receive annual payments for implementing conservation practices, ensuring a sustainable agricultural operation while maintaining ecological balance. CSP is pivotal for landowners seeking to achieve higher stewardship levels and contribute to conservation goals.

The Noxious Weed Management Fund Grant, offered by the Colorado Department of Agriculture, aims to support the eradication and containment of state-listed noxious weeds. This grant provides vital financial resources to cooperatively manage these invasive species, ensuring measurable outcomes across Colorado. It particularly focuses on assisting newly established weed management programs in regions that require additional support, fostering sustainable agricultural practices and protecting native ecosystems.

The Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP) provides financial assistance to farmers, ranchers, and private forest landowners in implementing conservation practices that enhance environmental quality on agricultural lands. Eligible applicants include agricultural producers and non-industrial private forestland owners, with a focus on reducing pollution, conserving water resources, and promoting wildlife habitat. NRCS accepts applications year-round, ensuring ongoing support for environmentally sustainable practices in agriculture.

Urban Agriculture

CDA's Urban Agriculture program focuses on supporting agricultural producers in and around Colorado's communities as they work to create local food systems and networks.

The goals of CDA's Urban Ag program are:

• Supporting and uplifting urban producers in providing access to fresh, local agricultural products for their communities
• Connecting urban producers with existing resources
• Conserving natural resources on urban farms

Urban Agriculture Microgrant Program

The purpose of the Urban Agriculture Microgrant Program is to aid Colorado’s agricultural producers in building a more resilient and sustainable food system by supporting and uplifting urban producers in providing access to fresh, local agricultural products for their communities and conserving natural resources on urban farms.

Due to limited funding, the Conservation Services Division has decided to use this microgrant opportunity to concentrate on small scale projects crucial to expanding urban production, implementing conservation practices, educating community members, and addressing other common challenges faced by urban producers.

The Colorado Specialty Crop Block Grant Program, authorized by the Agriculture Improvement Act of 2018, aims to enhance the competitiveness of specialty crop growers. It supports state agriculture departments in marketing, promoting, and conducting research on fruits, vegetables, and other horticultural crops. The program addresses challenges faced by producers and expands access to specialty crops, ensuring a robust agricultural landscape in Colorado.

The Colorado Garden Foundation offers a Full Ride Scholarship for incoming freshmen from Colorado attending a publicly funded college or university. This four-year scholarship covers tuition, fees, room and board, and necessary books. Recipients also receive a laptop and printer. Eligible fields of study include Agriculture Business, Horticulture, and Botany, among others. Applicants must maintain a GPA of 2.50 and be Colorado residents. This program aims to support students pursuing careers in agriculture and horticulture.

Bates Philanthropic Initiative

Mission Statement

The Bates Philanthropic Initiative (BPI) is committed to making a positive impact on our community by ensuring that high school students in Colorado experiencing financial hardship have access to quality post-secondary education and career opportunities with a particular focus on career and technical education (CTE).

We provide scholarships to graduating high school seniors with a financial need who are pursuing post-secondary certifications, associate degrees, and apprenticeships in skills-based fields.

In addition to scholarships, BPI provides grants to nonprofit partners that deliver critical wrap-around services like transportation, childcare, language support, and mentoring to these financially disadvantaged young adults.

The BPI Scholars Program

The Bates Philanthropic Initiative (BPI) is proud to provide financial support for Colorado's financially disadvantaged high school seniors seeking an education in skills-based careers.

Our mission is to bridge the skills and opportunity gap for in-need graduating high school students by expanding access to career and technical education (CTE) and work readiness opportunities across Colorado. Becoming a BPI Scholar is both an academic honor and access to a support network of partners and resources designed for success.

We administer our own program, personally reviewing each applicant as a potential BPI Scholar. 

Scholarship Benefits

• Attend any Colorado Community College or Technical School
• Associate's degree or Certificates
• Receive Mentorship
• Networking Events
• Recognition as a BPI Scholar

Fields of Study

• Engineering, Construction
• Manufacturing, Automotive Tech
• Agriculture, Natural Resources
• Health Sciences, Criminal Justice
• Education, Human Services
• Electrical, Plumbing, HVAC, Welding
• Cosmetology, Barbering, Esthetics

Awards are not automatically renewable; however, students may reapply to the program each year they meet eligibility requirements.

Agricultural Emergency Drought Response Program

The Program provides up to $1 million annually, in the form of loans or grants, for emergency drought-related water augmentation purposes to Colorado’s agricultural water users.

The Program provides grant funds primarily for the cost of the Emergency Augmentation water but also can provide for engineering, attorney fees and other water acquisition administrative costs, not to exceed 5% of the grant amount. If the source of Emergency Augmentation water is through supplemental groundwater pumping the additional operational costs of pumping are eligible for funding through the Program. The Program does not provide grants for general operational expenses, maintenance or rehabilitation of facilities, or research projects. The Program does not provide funding for any anticipated costs associated with Emergency Augmentation, only for verified costs incurred during a previous irrigation season.

NextGen Ag Leadership Grant Program

The NextGen Ag Leadership Grant Program provides grant funding to organizations and educational institutions to support leadership development opportunities for Colorado’s emerging food and agriculture leaders.

Applications should be for projects that support Coloradans’ careers in food and agriculture and prepare them to become industry leaders.

Colorado’s food and agriculture industry is broad and diverse. This program is geared toward not only farmers and ranchers, but also people working across the food and agriculture system.

 This program runs on the State’s fiscal year: July 1 to June 30 of the following year. Projects, other than scholarship projects, must be completed by June 30 of the year following the award. Scholarship projects must be completed no later than September 30 of the year following the award.

Program priority areas:

• Develop individual leadership or entrepreneurial skills;
• Enhance organizational leadership and capacity building; and
• Create educational or training opportunities.

Eligible entities may submit one or more applications for projects up to $25,000. Targeted projects with smaller budgets ($5,000 - $10,000) are encouraged.

Local Food Program

Farm to school programs connect schools with local producers to provide students with fresh, healthy food in school and summer meals. These programs promote healthy eating habits, support local agriculture and offer educational opportunities for students to learn about food systems, agriculture and nutrition through activities like school gardens and farm visits.

The Local Food Program offers funding to eligible sponsors for the purchase of Colorado grown, raised or processed products. The program has expanded to include all sponsors operating Healthy School Meals for All including individual charter schools, residential childcare institutes and facility schools. Sponsors are eligible to receive $0.25 per lunch served in SY 2024-25 for SY 2026-27.

The Local Food Program (LFP) offers eligible Child Nutrition Sponsors funding for the purchase of Colorado grown, raised, or processed products. The purpose of this grant program is to support small and mid-sized Colorado producers, while in return fostering nutrition education, bolstering nutrition activities in the state, and supporting Colorado producers, farmers and food manufacturers. This Colorado state funded grant program exists to:

• Provide funding to eligible school nutrition operators for the procurement of Colorado grown, raised, processed, and value-added products to be used in federal Child Nutrition Programs.
• Support implementation of Local Food Program requirements by utilizing a set percentage of the allocated funding for:
  • The mandatory advisory committee made up of students and parents (up to 12%)
  • Allowable costs associated with the administration of the Local Food Program (up to 10%)

Colorado products must be served to students in the School Breakfast Program and/or National School Lunch Program.

It is the General Assembly’s intent that these grant funds be used primarily to support small and medium sized farms and ranches.

Farm to School programs enrich communities with fresh, healthy food and support local producers by changing food purchasing practices. It is the intent of the LFP for students to gain access to healthy, local foods while strengthening Colorado’s economy. Farm to School and programs like the LFP can increase equitable financial opportunities, market growth, and customer diversification for local producers while simultaneously providing kids and teens access to nutritious, high quality, local food so they are ready to learn and grow.

Our Mission

The Community Foundation’s mission is to improve the quality of life in Greater Kansas City by increasing charitable giving, educating and connecting donors to community needs they care about, and leading on critical community issues.

Scholarships

We offer hundreds of different scholarships for students in and around Kansas City.

Kansas Association of Independent Crop Consultants Scholarship Fund

The Kansas Association of Independent Crop Consultants created this scholarship fund to award to a qualified individual majoring in an agricultural field.